Mapping multiple documents: From constructing multiple document models to argumentative writing

Introduction to the special issue on synthesis tasks: where reading and writing meet

“…Three studies in this special issue investigate reading and writing processes of synthesis texts, sometimes in combination with different task types and learner groups. The studies deal with secondary school students (Barzilai et al, 2021) and university students (Castells et al, 2022;Valenzuela & Castillo, 2022). Barzilai et al (2021) and Castells et al (2022) start from a writing-to-learn perspective, that is, they investigate how writing can support content learning (from sources) or reading comprehension of source texts.…”

“…The studies deal with secondary school students (Barzilai et al, 2021) and university students (Castells et al, 2022;Valenzuela & Castillo, 2022). Barzilai et al (2021) and Castells et al (2022) start from a writing-to-learn perspective, that is, they investigate how writing can support content learning (from sources) or reading comprehension of source texts. The main focus in both studies is the reading process and its relation to writing and vice versa.…”

“…In Castells et al writing is a learning activity rather than a final product as in Barzilai et al The study of Valenzuela and Castillo then focuses on the writing process, more specifically pausing, and investigates if pausing behavior is altered as a result of source modality (i.e., digital or print) and communicative purpose (inform vs persuade). Barzilai et al (2021) explored the use of a document mapping tool that supports students in constructing visual representations of multiple documents while writing a synthesis text. The study focuses on argumentative synthesis writing drawing on sources presenting different positions on a controversial issue.…”

“…In this special issue, the importance of recursivity is discussed at length by Nelson and King (2022). Recursivity is also very much present in both the studies by Barzilai et al (2021) and Castells et al (2022). The document mapping tool presented by Barzilai et al (2021) actually scaffolds recursive reading and writing behavior as it supports students in connecting the sources and in integrating source content into their own text.…”

“…Recursivity is also very much present in both the studies by Barzilai et al (2021) and Castells et al (2022). The document mapping tool presented by Barzilai et al (2021) actually scaffolds recursive reading and writing behavior as it supports students in connecting the sources and in integrating source content into their own text. The findings of this study confirmed the importance of recursive processes.…”